AZT 750/300 2017 Planning Thread

[ScottM]

Originally I envisioned it as only requiring the singletrack/AZT on the north rim on years when it was clear enough.  But the first few years of the race were snowy, and, I think the majority of the time the singletrack just isn't viable.  So, it's evolved to the point where the pavement to Jacob Lake is de facto the route, with the occasional badass (looking at Ron Thomson here) doing the trail for extra mega sauce style points.

So it's similar to the paved detours on the TD in New Mexico.  The intention was to only allow them during inclement weather, but now 99% take the faster/easier way, while the option to stay true is still there for badasses. 

So there's no need to evaluate anything, unless you want to go for the style points.

The North Rim does get a lot more snow than Flag or the South Rim, so it can be deceiving when elsewhere in the state all the snow is seemingly gone. 

[Snowbd2u]

All signed up! Looking forward to getting out there.

[Cortvald]

is there a way to see the list of riders ?

[Snowbd2u]

probably not till he puts them all onto the trackleaders page and its live.

[pbasinger]

Anyone running a shuttle from Superior to the 300 start with room?

[elfreako]

Anybody shipping a pack to the Grand canyon village for the hike? Wondering how reliable that post office is?

[rhino]

Anybody shipping a pack to the Grand canyon village for the hike? Wondering how reliable that post office is?

It's very reliable. When my great grandmother did the AZT that how she did it, she mailed stuff because she wasn't tough enough to carry it from the border. But she's frail, so nobody thought any less of her accomplishments.

[taprider]

It's very reliable. When my great grandmother did the AZT that how she did it, she mailed stuff because she wasn't tough enough to carry it from the border. But she's frail, so nobody thought any less of her accomplishments.

^lol

say you arrive late friday afternoon
you would have to wait to monday morning to get your stuff

[ScottM]

probably not till he puts them all onto the trackleaders page and its live.

Which could be soon, given we have a (HOT) ITT going off this weekend.

Check the S. Rim PO hours.  My memory says they may be open Saturday limited hours.

[Ron Thomson]

It's always been a bit of a lottery mailing stuff to the Grand Canyon for me. Twice the Tusayan PO said they did not have a box for me. Once I found it in the general store and the other time was at the GC vilage PO (even though addressed to Tusayan PO). Opening times can be awkward too if you arrive after they close and have to wait till the next morning or worse still until Monday. The GC village PO was super busy I think I stood in line for over an hour.
This year no mailing to the GC for me. Going to carry the pack and poles from the start.

[Ahaughey]

Wondering what the level of safety/hazard leaving a vehicle at picketpost parking lot vs. parking in superior?

[hjknox]

Wondering what the level of safety/hazard leaving a vehicle at picketpost parking lot vs. parking in superior?

I think it's fine leaving it at Picketpost, lots of people do it. Others might have better info, but I've never had a problem leaving my truck at the trailhead when I'm out that way. And who knows, Superior locals can be of the old mining-town-don't-tread-on-me sort, and you might not want to accidentally park it somewhere in town it's not wanted!

In other news, I really hope it cools off before April. It's hot down here right now (I say to all of you covered in feet of snow, I know I know). I did Sonoita to I-10 on Sunday and an out-and-back yesterday from Gabe Zimmerman to the road detour near Saguaro NP. Really beautiful, but HOT. Not jealous of that ITTer going off this weekend.

For those of you in snow right now, here is some trail stoke of sunnier days to come:

[Up2zmtns]

Stoked up! Got a solid crew of 5 coming down from Carbondale, CO! 

One of us is looking for a Picketpost to 300 start shuttle, and one is looking for a 300 start to 750 start shuttle. PM me if anyone can help! 

[AZTtripper]

Typical mid March heat wave. It can still snow in April.

A Superior local told me not to lay my bike down. "They'll steal it with you standing there".

[mikedeber]

I'm gonna be doing a one-way rental to Sierra Vista from Salt Lake, planning to arrive midday Thursday, 4/6.  I'm open to snagging a ride to the 750 start if anyone has room but I'm not opposed to riding down.

Can anyone chime in with the best way to pedal to the border from Sierra Vista, Montezuma Canyon vs Garden Canyon?  Mileage looks similar but I'm looking to avoid getting squished by a large truck or elderly lady if at all possible.

Thanks! Less than a month out

[Ron Thomson]

Montezuma Canyon is the way to go from Sierra Vista for the 750 start. Nice ride, bout 30 miles. Bit of a climb towards the end but a good way to shake down the gear. I'll be riding that way on Thursday.

[Snowbd2u]

Thanks for the pictures, after a mild February we just got hit with a big snow storm and single digit temps wind chill. Looking forward to the heat, or maybe not.....lol

[ScottM]

Tracker is up with everyone signed up thus far.  Remember that new registrations don't appear automatically.  I'll add them as time allows.

http://trackleaders.com/aztr17

Erin C. is up for a "heat avoidance" 1:30 am start, this Friday.  Best of luck to him -- stay cool out there!

[Jeff Z]

It's very reliable. When my great grandmother did the AZT that how she did it, she mailed stuff because she wasn't tough enough to carry it from the border. But she's frail, so nobody thought any less of her accomplishments.

lol

I prefer to have one less set of circumstances out of my control. So I'll be schlepping hiking poles and shoes all the way across AZ - just so I can take a nice little hike. Hopefully Rhino's great grandma will come walk with me for a while.

[elfreako]

I'm hoping as well Rhino's grandma helps me out. Shipping my pack to the canyon. I plan on being there on Thursday or Friday to pick it up. I don't like wearing a pack. I'll call ahead to ensure they received it. Worst case buy a pack at the store.